|
Sunbeds and Pregnancy
If you are a frequent indoor tanner and are either pregnant or considering trying to conceive it is natural to worry about whether your sunbed sessions can harm the health of the unborn child. There is a lack of studies into the effects of UV rays on pregnant women so it cannot be said for certain that they are safe to use. However, there are also no statistics to indicate that sunbed use can harm either the mother – beyond the normal risks associated with sunbeds – or the foetus.
The most concerning potential link between pregnancy and sunbeds is that overexposure to UV rays can cause depletion in folic acid levels. A deficiency in folic acid has been proven to increase the incidences of babies born with severe neural tube defects such as spina bifida. However, there is no indication as to how much of an influence indoor tanning has on the risks. Women are advised to take folic acid supplements prior to conception and throughout the first trimester which has greatly decreased the number of children affected by neural tube defects, so if you are determined to maintain your use of sunbeds then make sure you are adhering to this information and limiting your sessions. Increasing the amount of leafy green vegetables in your diet will also increase your folic acid intake. However, it is advisable to avoid indoor tanning altogether for the first three moths of pregnancy and always consult your doctor or midwife.
Another reason why pregnant women are advised to avoid using sunbeds is the potential risk of hyperthermia (over heating) which can lead to spinal defects in unborn babies. This advice is purely precautionary and, while it is better to be safe than sorry, there is no recorded incident of a pregnant woman developing hyperthermia from indoor tanning. Hyperthermia is generally a result of extended exposure to temperatures in excess of 102 Fahrenheit (38.9 Celsius). For safety reasons commercial sunbeds are defaulted to 100 Fahrenheit (37.7 Celsius). The short duration of tanning sessions also makes hyperthermia improbable, but it is always wise to err on the side of caution.
While UV rays do not seem to penetrate deeply enough to affect the foetus there are some undesirable effects for mothers-to-be. Hormonal changes can cause the skin of the pregnant woman to become photosensitive and particularly susceptible to UV rays, which may necessitate avoiding sun beds even if they were previously used to alleviate skin conditions such as psoriasis and acne. The heat can also cause dizziness and dehydration. Therefore, if you are intending to use a sunbed it is imperative that you drink plenty of water before your tanning session.
If you wish to continue your use of sunbeds throughout your pregnancy always discuss the matter with you midwife or family doctor first. While you are pregnant you may be required to present a doctor's certificate to the tanning salon before using their services.
|
|
